PINK JADE IN AFRICA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 January 1926, Page 6

PINK JADE IN AFRICA.

NEW INDUSTRY PROMOTED. For more than 200 years pink jade had not been found in any thickness greater than an eighth of an inch, until it was discovered about, three years ago 40 miles north-west of Pretoria. The only pink jade necklace in the world, unless a very ancient one exists in China, has been made there and is now in England. It is composed of alternate round and oval beads in a lovely soft pink with slight variations of hue. Pink jade varies very greatly in tone, some pieces being pale flesh colour and others almost as deep as rose. Sometimes it shades to a brown or amethyst, or into purple. It took some time to start a mine after the stone liad been discovered, as it is very difficult to work. It is so hard that* it has to be polished with diamond dust, and often in the process of cutting a bit of pure Tock will be found running through it. Some fine translucent green jade, which is the most valuable kind, has also been found in the mine. It lias become so rare in China that the Chinese will not part with it out of their own country. The Chinese, ns a result of generations of experience, arc the most expert jade carvers in the world, and the South African Government, is going to allow a certain number of these experts to come to that country with a view to starting an industry which will employ workers under Chinese instruction. The inferior stone is made up into seals and electric bell balls for the writing table, but the finer pieces, besides being formc-d into beads for necklaces, are made into brooches, blobs, and the fashionable drop earrings. When a mount is required either gold or white gold isi used, as is seen in bracelets made of circles or “cushions” of jade with backing and oins of white gold.